So to my surprise there was a Muslim Day Parade in New York City. I never knew such a parade even existed and neither did my husband who for most of his years as a Muslim, has been pretty active with several Muslim organizations across the US. I found out about the event while searching for themes for a Muslim parade float (I’ll get back to my reason for searching that later). Sadly, in my google searches, I mostly came across websites that critiqued the parade and used anything they found at the parade to bash Islam with their narrow extremist views. The hottest topic among the bashing was the jihadi flag or what is now known as the ISIS flag. This flag that many are associating with this evil group, is simply the Muslim declaration of faith, what we call the shahada. The flag is usually in either black or white and in Arabic letters says

“I bear witness that there is no deity (none truly to be worshipped) but, Allah, and I bear witness that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.”

This flag is not something that represents terror, beheadings or any evil. If anyone carried this flag in the parade last year, there’s a good chance that they were simply doing so out of their pride for Islam and to showcase one of the most important concepts in our faith. I don’t think anyone carried this flag this year because it’s being plastered all over the media as being associated with a group that is completely un-Islamic in every shape and form. For more information on the controversy over this flag feel free to read http://www.islam21c.com/politics/banning-the-isis-flag-will-outlaw-the-muslim-declaration-of-faith/

NYPD band preparing to march in the Muslim Day Parade 2014

When I first arrived to the parade, around 1 p.m. , we arrived at the corner of 35th street and Madison avenue, where the parade starts. The first group that began the march was the NYPD band, with the NYPD Muslim Officers Society group following behind them.

A Mexican flag was proudly hung over the parade divider. We all have a right to celebrate!

A group of people holding the Mexican flag at the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014 – Óoorale!

The kaba rolled out on a float with everyone just chilling on the float!

The kaba – the structure in Mecca that all Muslims (from every sector) pray towards, was on a float accompanied by children waving flags.

Something that warmed my heart was the Jewish group that marched in the parade holding signs in their support for Gaza. My husband and I tip our hats to these courageous Jews that stand up for humanity!

Jew for peace marching in the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

Jew for peace marching in the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

Kerry, Obama and Cheney march in front of Egypt’s President Sisi at the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

One of the most interesting moments of the parade was the political demonstrations made to highlight US support of Egypt’s President Sisi. Three masked men – Obama, Cheney and Kerry, walked in front of “Sisi” whom stood on a rolling chariot holding a whip that he used to strike the pavement. It was quite a sight to see and probably nothing too shocking for the average New Yorker. We decided to walk along with the short parade , from where I was able to witness the expressions of the spectators watching this demonstration. Some people looked at him in disgust, I heard one muslim woman say “This is disgusting!”, then shortly after 2 women in front of us were complaining that the media does enough to depict Muslims in a violent manner-there was no need to act like this in a parade. The average New Yorker may not be familiar with politics in Eypt, so we can’t expect everyone passing by to understand the significance of this demonstration- to this person it may seem like something barbaric, but to the Egyptians that have lost their loved ones, their rights, their former President Morsi, whom they elected in a democratic election – it means so much more.

My dear Palestine, we will never forget you. We will always stand beside you and remind others of your constant struggle, your courage, strength and determination to rise high above those that oppress you.

Palestine pride at the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

Palestine pride at the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

Palestine pride at the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

Palestine pride at the Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014

Some folks are not shy about showing their love for Muslims.

A parade attendee posing with my husband

After taking the picture above, he asked me to also photograph the back of his shirt, which showed his true objective. HA!

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12 thoughts on “Muslim Day Parade NYC 2014”

No mention of the men with guns in military style vests? Some of them had black masks on.
What do you have to say of the map that showed the entire Israel with a Palestinian flag? Lebanon was shown as a part of another country in this flag.

The masked men were mocking Egyptian Sissi supporters. The masked men were part of the Sissi demonstration that I mentioned above. I did not see a map that showed the entire Israel as a Palestine flag – who ever saw this has an amazing eye. I don’t see what the problem is with that sort of image anyway. Obviously Palestinians have a very strong opinion about who this land belongs to.

I am an Egyptian muslim and am ashamed of what happened during that parade. Rab’aa supporters are not protestors they are terrorists. You have not seen what that brotherhood of hell has done and continues to do to Egypt and the Egyptian people. You sure don’t sound like an Arab from the way you spelled rab’aa which makes matters worse because that shows how brainwashed you have been by your bearded husband and his band of terrorist thugs.

Converts to this nutty “religion”, or any religion, are always the most blind. The teachings of the desert pirate Muhammad are clearly written and understood. Submit or die. All religions have done this, Islam is the ONLY “religion” to practice this actively in a supposedly modern world. Your taqqiya is well practiced, young lady. But you’re not fooling me.

Submit or die was not his message. All of you Islam haters study Islam with hatred and that is why all you receive is a message of hate. As an experiment, try approaching the teachings of Islam with a completely clear serene mind- subtracting all negative things out of your head. I promise you that you will find peace and a message of love.

What about the display of a woman hanging, women in a cage, men with rifles dressed in black with 1 wearing a mask, as ISIS fighters? This is not a good look & reflects negatively.

There is more fear than hate sprinkled throughout the world relating to Islam. The peaceful Muslims must stand up and denounce these ISIS, Al Qaeda, Al Nusra, Khorisan, etc, etc thugs.

Why are the Imams not preaching against these terrorists? Are they afraid to do that? Where did these demons get the idea that what they are doing is OK & supported by Muslims?

I don’t understand what is in the hearts of these devils. They have the attitude and belief that the world should be living as in a 9th century caliphate. There is no respect for others, no tolerance. Submit or die. Be with us or die.

Please see this poll from 2013. This is the reason that folks are afraid of what is now happening in Africa, Iraq, Syria, Iran…

My hair stylist is Muslim. Once I asked her about the bombings of innocent people. She said that killing innocents was forbidden by the Koran. When I asked further, she said that killing because someone is being harmed is permitted. Regarding the homicide bombers that blow themselves up in crowded area, she said, “I could never do that because my faith is not strong enough.”

What is the definition of “being harmed”? Is it only mortal physical threat or can it be a “slight”, refusal to submit to conversion to Islam; perceived discrimination?

The woman hanging with the Egyptian flag resembles Egypt hanging. The women in cages were meant to resemble the girls in Egypt that were thrown in prison for protesting. I don’t know why the men were holding rifles and wearing masks, but masks are commonly used among fighters all over the world. It’s certainly not a good look to people that do not understand what they were trying to depict. I have not read up on much Egyptian politics, so I also did not get it, until someone with more knowledge of the situation there explained it to me.

Most of the billions of Muslims are peaceful and they do denounce ISIS. Here is the site with the “Open Letter to Baghdadi”, signed by 126 Muslim leaders: http://lettertobaghdadi.com/

I don’t know why your hairstylist made such a statement so perhaps you can ask her to clarify what she meant. I don’t see how a strong faith leads a person to become a criminal so I’d like to hear what she says.

If it were a vote able matter I’d vote all people affiliated with this little parade be shot, hung, or both. You know, the swastika gets it’s roots from Sanskrit as a symbol of peace or to be good. Nobody tried to defend the Nazi flag as a symbol of peace or a representation of the christian cross while the Nazi’s were gassing thousands of people and pushing their fascist movement down Europe and West USSR’s throats. So… The ISIS flag from this point on will be known as the ISIS flag, even to those in east Syria or Western Iraq to Balad (presently). Are you retarded? Like are you seriously this mental?
Also, you tip your hats to courageous Jews walking through the streets of NYC? Why is this such a brave act? Man, those Jews really stuck their neck out there for Gaza when they walked the streets of NYC!! LMFAO! Such resilience! Such heroism!!!
As a Zionist Christian I see value in the ancient ways of wiping out the a people group such as the Palestinians. It’s the only way to ensure a safe haven for Jewish children and the children of their children. If you’re going to kill a biting flea you have to break the whole life cycle, not just the adult fleas. As a brainwashed wife of an extremist muslim who supports various terrorist organizations I’m sure you feel much differently.